Higher gas prices yield a windfall for BJ's

The Natick, Mass.-based retailer reported that April sales were $871.7 million, compared with $777 million in April 2010.

BJ's said sales of gasoline, which has risen sharply in price, and a calendar shift in the timing of Easter both helped sales.

The company confirmed in February that BJ's is considering a possible sale, as well as other “strategic alternatives." In January, the company announced that it planned to close five under-performing stores and lay off 61 employees at its headquarters and 53 people in “field-level” jobs.